Impact of Reinfusion Drains on Hemoglobin Level in Total Knee Arthroplasty

We conducted this study to determine the effect of reinfusion drains on the difference in hemoglobin (Hb) levels before and after total knee arthroplasty. Of the 158 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty on one side, 74 had autologous blood transfusion through reinfusion drains (group 1); the other 84 did not have autologous blood transfusion, but ordinary suction drains were used to drain the wound during the immediate postoperative period (group 2).

Mean preoperative Hb levels were 13.6 g/dL for group 1 (SD, 1.4 g/dL; range, 10.4-18.1 g/dL) and 13.6 g/dL for group 2 (SD, 1.3 g/dL; range, 10.0-16.7 g/dL). Mean postoperative Hb levels were 10.7 g/dL for group 1 (SD, 1.5 g/dL; range, 7.9-16.5 g/dL) and 10.7 g/dL for group 2 (SD, 1.6 g/dL; range, 5.4-13.6 g/dL). The difference in Hb levels between the groups before and after the surgery
was analyzed with t test and found to be not significant (P = .76). The reinfusion drain cost £36.43 (≈US$ 58.87) more than the suction drain.

Autologous blood from reinfusion drains did not significantly improve postoperative Hb levels. Further use of reinfusion drain is not cost-beneficial.